Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, May 21, 2015 10:50 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN ED NEILSON COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting May 21, 2015
Good morning, everyone. We're going to get started. I'd ask that the guests and visitors retire behind the rail. If the members will take their seats, we will get started today. Before we start, I'd ask if anyone has a cell phone or any other electronic device that makes noise, I'd ask that you please turn it off or turn it on silent. Thank you very much for your cooperation. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Reverend Omari Hughes of the Church of the Redeemer Baptist. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Johnson. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Folks, can I ask you for quiet, please. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015
Let me first start by simply congratulating all those. I know we recently had an election, and I would be remiss without congratulating our Councilman, Kenyatta Johnson, and thanking him for the invitation to be here on today. Knowing that this is a season of transition, I want to read just a few very short verses and then just do a quick prayer. Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 says, There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to scatter stones and a Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 them; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to search and a time to give up; a time to keep and a time to throw away; a time to tear and a time to mend; a time to be silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time hate; a time for war and a time for peace. Let us pray. Lord God, you alone control and know the seasons of our lives. You have destiny that you've placed on all of us, and you've appointed far before the foundations of the world that this is our time to be here. While you've gathered us in this place and in these seasons, we pray that you would use us mightily. We don't know everything about the times that you've called us to, but there are some things we do know. We do know that this is still a time to take up the cause of the poor, not just the middle class. We do know that this is a time to ensure Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 had a place in their communities for generations are not pushed out by tax hikes and gentrification. We do know that this is a time to ensure that all of our schools are not just public, but equal. We do know that this is a time to ensure that funding is not simply provided to those who are lighter than others, but those who are black and brown and tan as well. We do know that this is a time for us to use our elected power to stop bullets from flying through our streets. We do know that this is not a time for us to ignore what's happening in the neighborhood that's down the street because ours is flourishing. We know that this is a time to remember that projects still exist. We know that this is a time to remember that children still need parents, and we know that this is still a time where people are targeted disproportionately because of their race or ethnicity. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 as you gather us in this place, we pray that you will give us the strength throughout these times to ensure that you're represented in all of our districts and in all of our lives and throughout this city and this nation and even this world. For this time, we'll be careful to give you glory, honor, and praise, for we love you, God. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Reverend, for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, May 14, 2015, and Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, May 14th, 2015 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, May 14, 2015 stand approved. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 majority, Mark Squilla, Councilman, has requested a leave of absence today.
Thank you. Leave shall be granted. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to welcome and thank everyone who has come down today to witness their government in action. We really hope that you enjoy yourself today, that you leave here with a little bit of knowledge with respect to how we operate here. So, again, thank you so much. We look forward to seeing you again very soon. Thank you. At this time, the Chair Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Neilson, who will present a resolution recognizing Gene Blagmond. And we all know Gene. Would Mr. Blagmond and those accompanying him please join the Councilman at the podium. (Applause.) (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman Neilson, we have Councilman Henon.
You are quite right, Mr. President. We all do know Gene. We know Gene in his role down here at Council and Harrisburg walking the halls of the Senate, the House of Representatives and doing a wonderful job for those who protect us daily, night, morning, no time of day matters, and put their lives on the line, our Philadelphia Police. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 on many issues in Harrisburg, whether it's school funding last year trying to get our kids educated. You'd be surprised of all the things he has his hands in. So today we'd like to honor him. We talked about it before our little break, and we wanted to do it properly. So I'm joined by Councilman Henon. The Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to join the Philadelphia Police Department in honoring Eugene Blagmond on the occasion of his retirement. Whereas, Eugene Blagmond is a graduate of West Philadelphia High School. He began his career with the Philadelphia Police Department on November 8th, 1971 as a police officer. He worked for the Department for 17 years; and Whereas
Whereas, Mr. Blagmond has worked for the FOP since Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Police Department where he first served as Chief of Staff at FOP Lodge 5. He currently holds the position of lobbyist, where he is responsible for handling labor, interviews, and grievance procedures for Lodge No. 5, the position from which he is now retiring from; and Whereas, Eugene Blagmond has gone far, far beyond the call of duty to perform his duties in an exemplary manner, facing the stresses and dangers of his job with determination and dignity for the citizens of Philadelphia. He has brought pride to the Philadelphia Police Department, distinction to his badge, and has established a record that goes beyond competence; and Whereas, Eugene Blagmond has gained the admiration and respect of his fellow officers, peers, and supervisors and has exemplified the Philadelphia Police Department's motto of honor, integrity, and service. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015
Therefore, by virtue of this citation of the City of Philadelphia, City Council proudly presented to Eugene Blagmond with this citation, evidencing the respect, admiration, appreciation of this legislative body. We thank him for the many years of dedicated service and wish him well in his retirement filled with good health, happiness, and the joys of families and friends. The City will surely miss this fine public servant. Congratulations, Gene. (Applause.)
I begged them not to do this, begged them. I just want to thank everybody in City Council, current and past City Council members. It's always been a pleasure to come down here, and if you've been to Harrisburg, you know that it's a Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 down here. And I just want to thank everybody for making my job in City Council very easy, very relaxed, and it's always been an honor and a pleasure to come down here. I just want to thank all of you for making my life a lot better. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Thank you, Mr. Decker. Will you please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, pursuant to Sections 4-604 Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill Nos. 150355, 150367, 150370, 150371, 150375, 150376, 150377, 150379, 150406, and 150415. And I am pleased to advise you that on May 20, 2015, I signed all of the bills which were passed by Council at its session on May 7, 2015. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2310 through 14 North Marshall Street; and A resolution confirming the reappointment of Barbara Adams as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Authority, to serve in the term ending January 1, 2020; and An ordinance constituting the Fourteenth Supplemental Ordinance to the Amended and Restated General Airport Revenue Bond Ordinance; authorizing the Mayor, the City Controller and the City Solicitor, or a majority of them, to issue and sell one or more series of tax-exempt or taxable Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds of the City of Philadelphia; and An ordinance authorizing the Commerce Director and the Commissioner of Public Property to acquire an approximately 27-acre property known as International Plaza, located at South Route 291 and Tinicum Island Avenue, Tinicum Township, Delaware County, together with all improvements thereon, and to enter into a Master Lease with Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development pursuant to which the City will lease the property; and Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds in connection with the issuance of the bonds, and certain other actions; and An ordinance authorizing the City Treasurer to enter into an amendment agreement with Wells Fargo Bank for provision of payroll banking services to the City; and An ordinance authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a Service Agreement between the City and the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development relating to the provision by the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development of development assistance to support certain costs related to Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 promoting economic and commercial development of the City; and An ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Property to acquire an easement in the area bounded by Market Street, 11th Street, Chestnut Street and 12th Street, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. Do you have any additional communications?
Thank you very much. We will now have the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I have one bill, one non-privileged resolution, and one privileged resolution.
Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Thank you, Councilwoman.
An ordinance authorizing Drexel University to construct, own and maintain step and planter encroachments at 3175 JFK Boulevard.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a non-privileged resolution calling for the School District of Philadelphia to mandate cursive writing in the Philadelphia School District Curriculum.
That resolution will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Seventh Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And that will also be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer five bills.
An ordinance to amend Section 14-802(3) of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Required Parking in Commercial Districts," by changing the parking requirements for certain lots designated CMX-3; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 of City Plan No. 58 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Melon Street from Park Avenue to Ridge Avenue; and An ordinance establishing a one way regulation on Melon Street, from Thirteenth Street to Park Avenue, westbound; and An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by amending Chapter 14-800, entitled "Parking and Loading," by amending Section 14-806, entitled "Off-Street Loading," by providing certain exceptions to the maximum curb cut width; and An ordinance amending Section 9-206 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Vendors in Neighborhood Business Districts," by creating the Temple University District.
Those five bills will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I offer two bills on behalf of myself and six bills on behalf of Councilman Squilla.
An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," to provide for notice to be given to the Director of Commerce in connection with certain zoning and planning applications for permits, approvals and variances; and An ordinance amending Section 3-207 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sale of Fuel Oil," by modifying certain requirements for commercial fuel oil content; and An ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Property to acquire, on behalf of the City, an easement in the area bounded by Market Street, 11th Street, Chestnut Street and 12th Street; Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 and An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by providing for balconies, revising the requirements for roof decks, adding definitions, and making related changes; and An ordinance amending Section 9-213 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Farmers' Markets," by amending and further clarifying the definitions section; and An ordinance authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 238 by striking from the City Plan and vacating the southerly two feet wide portion of Washington Avenue from Front Street to Alter Street; and An ordinance amending Section 14-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Definitions" and Section 14-500, entitled "Overlay Zoning Districts," by adding a new subsection entitled "East Callowhill Overlay District;" amending Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Chapter 14-702 entitled "Floor Area and Height Bonuses;" by adding a new subsection entitled "Stormwater Open Space"; and An ordinance authorizing the Philadelphia Parking Authority to construct, own and maintain various right-of-way encroachments within the public right-of-way on Arch Street, Filbert Street, and Eighth Street.
Those eight bills will be referred to the appropriate committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer two bills on your behalf and I have four bills.
An ordinance authorizing the Bond Committee to sell bonds at public or private negotiated sale, to provide funds toward various Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 capital municipal purposes; providing for appropriations to the Sinking Fund Commission for the payment of such bonds; authorizing agreements to provide credit or payment or liquidity sources for the bonds; and An ordinance authorizing and approving the execution and delivery of a Service Agreement between the City of Philadelphia -- between the City and the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development relating to the provision by the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development of development assistance to support certain costs related to promoting economic and commercial development of the City; and An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Newtown Avenue, Godfrey Avenue, Allengrove Street, Tabor Avenue, Foulkrod Street, and Adams Avenue; and Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 An ordinance authorizing the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into an amendment agreement with Wells Fargo Bank for provision of payroll banking services to the City; and An ordinance constituting the Fourteenth Supplemental Ordinance to the Amended and Restated General Airport Revenue Bond Ordinance; authorizing the Mayor, the City Controller and the City Solicitor, or a majority of them, to issue and sell one or more series of tax-exempt or taxable Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds; and An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Disston Street, Whitaker Avenue, Brighton Street, Pennway Street, Saint Vincent Street, and Algon Avenue.
Those six bills will be referred to the appropriate committee. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 And the Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Council President Clarke, I have three bills, one resolution.
An ordinance authorizing Samuel JR Sherman of the Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation, to construct, own, and maintain various planter encroachments on Broad Street, McKean Street, 15th Street, Snyder Avenue and Passyunk Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing the Commerce Director and the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City, to acquire an approximately 27-acre property known as International Plaza, located on Route 291 and Tinicum Island Road, Tinicum Township, Delaware County, together with all improvements thereon, Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 and to enter into a Master Lease with the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development; and An ordinance authorizing John Duffy, to construct, own, and maintain a bay window encroachment at 215 South Bonsall Street.
Those three bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a non-privileged resolution confirming the reappointment of Barbara Adams as a member of the Board of the Philadelphia Energy Authority, to serve in the term ending January 1, 2020.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Thank you, Councilwoman.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Arizona Street, Emerald Street, York Street, and Coral Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Neilson.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution.
Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015
A privileged resolution recognizing May 2015 as Mental Health Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring the leadership, commitment, and advocacy of Joan Erney and Edie Mannion in service to individuals living with behavioral health conditions and their families.
And that resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. Councilman Johnson, did you want to be recognized?
Yes. Thank you, Council President. I just want to acknowledge representatives, young people who are here watching us do our work advocating for education with my -- they gave me a nice toolbox. (Applause.)
As they advocate for making sure, as we always do in City Council each budget cycle, funding for our schools to open on time Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 with resources. So under the leadership of Donna Cooper and PCCY, I just want to acknowledge Mastery Charter-Shoemaker at the behest of Councilman Curtis Jones, YESPhilly, and Chester Arthur from the 2nd Councilmanic District. Can all the young people please stand up and be acknowledged. (Applause.)
And that's at the behest of Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth. Let's give them a round of applause. God bless. Thank you, Council President. (Applause.)
Thank you, sir. Councilman, I see on my sheet here Dobbins Technical High School from the 5th Council District. They're not here? All right. Maybe next week. There you are. Get that plug for the 5th. All right. Thank you, Councilman. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015
Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today. I would like to introduce principals after this segment of our proceedings. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Thank you, Councilman.
An ordinance authorizing the installation of all-way stop signs at the intersection of Eva Street and Port Royal Avenue; and An ordinance authorizing Jason Cohen to construct, own, and maintain a banner pole encroachment at 4165 Ridge Avenue; and An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Hagys Mill Road, Port Royal Avenue, Lare Street, Summit Avenue, Eva Street, Shawmont Avenue, Umbria Street, Railroad Right of Way, and the County Line; and An ordinance authorizing Richard Barnhart, to construct, own, and maintain a banner pole encroachment at 4341 Ridge Avenue.
Those four bills will be referred to the appropriate committee. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Priscilla Street, West Coulter Street, Midvale Avenue, Wissahickon Avenue, and West Queen Lane to Priscilla Street.
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015
And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Hunting Park Avenue, Pacific Street, 22nd Street, Venango Street, and Wissahickon Avenue.
Referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Council President. I offer no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you very much, Councilman. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. We will now hear our reports from committee, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez for a report from the Committee of License and Inspection.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 one bill out with a favorable recommendation.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Licenses and Inspections, to which was referred Bill No. 150266, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Property Licenses and Owner Accountability,' by adding definitions and providing for the transition from housing inspection licenses to rental licenses in 2015; and amending Subcode 'F' of Title 4, entitled 'The Philadelphia Fire Code,' to remove the exception to payment of the high-rise inspection fee for certain occupancies"; and Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 150275, entitled "An ordinance amending Subcode 'A' of Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'The Philadelphia Administrative Code,' by amending Chapter 3 entitled 'Permits'; amending Chapter 6 entitled 'Fines'; and amending Chapter 9 entitled 'Fees'; and Bill No. 150276, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 10-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Refuse and Littering,' by amending Section 10-701 entitled 'Definitions,' amending the definition of debris, and by amending Section 10-710, entitled 'Dumping of Debris and Short Dumping,' by providing that debris generated from construction activity be placed in construction dumpsters, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you very much. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 150266, 150275, 150276. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bills No. 150266, 150275, and 150276. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 2ND READING that the bills just reported from committee have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on our First Reading Calendar today, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up from Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 150476, 150477, 150479, 150354, 150233, 150367, 150371, and 150415. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you very much, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Calendar, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If you have not already signed up and you wish to testify on a bill, I'd ask that you sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will go to the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a podium with a device on the podium. There's a light. When that light turns green, it is your time to speak. When the light turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. Thank you all very much. You will be given three minutes to testify on the bill or resolution. Mr. Decker, call the first name.
Faye Anderson, commenting on 150406. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting May 21, 2015
Good morning. Good morning. My name is Faye Anderson. I'm a lifelong activist and public policy consultant. Today I'm speaking in my capacity as a citizen journalist who uses Open Data to promote accountability and transparency. I'm here to express my outrage that City Council would consider authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to spend a dime, let alone up to $7.2 million, to purchase land on which to build a new prison, a prison that would cost between $300 million and $500 million, a prison that is opposed by the next Mayor, Jim Kenney. On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Planning Commission voted to disapprove Bill No. 150406, better known as the school-to-prison pipeline bill. The Commissioner has rejected the staff recommendation to move forward with the Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 land purchase. It was reported they questioned whether a prison was the best use of waterfront property. My question is, what are you thinking? The School District has an $85 million deficit and Council is considering a bill that would give millions of taxpayers' money to a shadowy Delaware corporation with a New York City mailing address and no presence in Philadelphia. Why waste millions of dollars to acquire land that will remain vacant? Philadelphia is experiencing a construction boom, but the property at 7777 State Road is a bust. The property has been entangled in a web of lawsuits dating back to 2007. Indeed, 7777 Philadelphia Loan Associates got control of the 58 acres in a closed market sale after the previous owner defaulted on the loan. Without a land use plan, our tax dollars would be wasted paying off a private lender's bad loan. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 Through Open Data and right to know requests, we will eventually uncover the identities of those behind the land deal, their relationships and campaign contributions, but this is what we know right now: Bill No. 150406 is a raw deal for the citizens of Philadelphia. Poll after poll shows education is the most important issue for your constituents. The message that this bill sends to these kids here, that the Council places a higher priority on laying the groundwork for the school-to-prison pipeline than building a brighter future for children trapped in 100-year-old school buildings without librarians, guidance counselors, nurses or air conditioning. Our children are being set up for failure. The voters spoke on Tuesday. They want a different direction for the City and City Council. They want education, not incarceration. Thank you. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 (Applause.)
Good morning. MR. McDERMOTT: Good morning, Council President and esteemed members of City Council. I'm here to talk today about Bill 150406, which is listed as 58 acres. This is located in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia 19136. Since 1874, the Holmesburg section of this City has dealt with correctional facilities. The House of Corrections was built in 1874, demolished in 1925, and rebuilt again in 1927. Holmesburg Prison, 8125 Torresdale Avenue, was built in 1896, still there. The Detention Center, 8201 State Road, 1963, 52 years later, still there. Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center, 8301 State Road, 1986, still Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 there. CFCF, Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility named for two officers that were killed in the rise at Holmesburg Prison, 1995, still there. Riverside Correctional Facility, female population, 8151 State Road, 2004, still there. This property is very valuable. It's located along the Delaware River. It's approximately 450 feet from the shipping channel, a shipping channel which has been deepened to 45 foot. That has opened up additional avenues for commerce along that river. While I fully trust Councilman Henon and his assessment of the prison that he went into, he called the conditions deplorable. I'm a friend of Bobby Henon. I would consider him a friend. I would concur with him. If he says it's deplorable, I would say it's deplorable. These prisoners shouldn't have to live in conditions like that, and our correctional officers shouldn't have Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 to deal with that as well. Do we need a new prison? I'm not the person to assess that. That's for experts. What I do know is, we do not need it on the waterfront. It can be built somewhere else. It can provide union jobs. It can provide correctional facilities somewhere else. This facility could be used as an additional use. It doesn't have to be a shipping terminal. It doesn't have to be industrial. It could be a park, whatever the case may be. If the prison needs to get built, I fully understand that. If Camden can realize after 20 years that the riverfront is not a place for a prison, Philadelphia, which is arguably one of the greatest cities on the eastern seaboard, I think we're better than they are.
Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.) Stated Meeting May 21, 2015
Mollie Michel, commenting on 150233. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. Thank you. Thank you for putting this bill forward for a vote today. As you know, a library needs more than a lease to keep its doors open, and because of lack of funding, most of the elementary schools in Philadelphia do not have functioning libraries. My daughter goes to school at Southwark, and while they have a beautiful library, it's really just an unused room, not available for student use because there's no staff to keep it in order as the students in searching for and checking out books and furthering their education and appreciation for reading and literacy. Just yesterday the Mayor was at Southwark, making a stop there on his Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 innovative and effective schools tour. While Southwark is thriving in many, many, many ways, our lack of a fully funded budget puts our ability to be truly effective and innovative in serious jeopardy. Please approve the $105 million requested by the District so our schools and administrators can plan for the next school year. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning to the members of the City Council. My name is Andre Williams. I'm here today to Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 talk to you about -- excuse me. I'm a YESPhilly student. We need school nurses, books, libraries, better technology, and more athletic programs. A few years ago I was at Jules E. Mastbaum and I was expelled for fighting. A couple months later I was arrested for selling drugs and straw gun robbery. I was sent to a youth detention center for two years, but my mom said I really didn't change. One day my brother came home from YESPhilly and told me that I was nothing without my diploma or GED. Something clicked in my head and I decided to enroll in YESPhilly. I worked hard in every class. I joined several extracurricular activities. Today I'm a straight A student and I have even learned how to tie a tie. (Applause.)
I am set to graduate November 18th. Being locked up did not change me. Education and school did. So please Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 provide more funding for schools like YESPhilly. You could save a life. It saved mine. Thank you for your time. (Applause.)
Taylor Frome, commenting on 150233. (Witness approached podium.)
I have my toolbox, and I know all members of City Council also have their toolboxes, which were given out by students from the YES Philadelphia's public school system this morning. My name is Taylor Frome and I'm here as Executive Director of YESPhilly. YESPhilly is a community-based organization right in North Philadelphia next door to the former William Penn High Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 School. YESPhilly serves students who have dropped out of Philadelphia's public schools, students who have worked hard to get back on track, students like Andre, who are finishing their high school education and turning their lives around. We have an enriched model that engages students in media arts and technology and helps them develop new behaviors that they'll need to be successful adults as they earn credits for their high school diploma. Libraries in their communities are also a key part of a process for change and change in terms of change in theirs lives. I'm here to ask you to provide funding for the Philadelphia School District to fund their request for $105 million for this year so that all students in Philadelphia can attend better resourced schools. I know that City Council has come through for Philadelphia students in the past, and we're counting on you again Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 in terms of filling the School District's request for $105 million in new and recurring revenue. Philadelphia is one of the most underfunded school districts in the nation. We spend less per student than all but two other cities. For the first time in four years, the Governor has proposed an increase in funding for public education. We will continue to make sure that our state legislators increase funding and pass a formula, but that does not relieve City Council of its duties. The sooner our budget is passed, the better off our schools will be. With less than one month until the last day of school, time is of the essence. Passing a budget will allow us to focus on teaching and learning and not budget advocacy. I also want to ask you to commit to supporting YESPhilly and to come and visit us at our site next to the old William Penn High School some time Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 soon. Yesterday's news boasted that on-time high school graduation rates have increased from 52 to 65 percent over the last eight years. All of us can do the math. Even at the current improved level, at best 35 percent of high school students are succeeding. In North Philadelphia neighborhoods, that rate goes up to over 50 percent. Even the District's safety net system for that student, the accelerated high schools, is underfunded and needs resources for additional staff and basic 21st century equipment. Investing in our schools is a smart investment for Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.)
Arnold Jones, commenting on 150406. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. I would first like to thank Ms. Faye Anderson for her eloquent synopsis of Bill 150406. That information is something that a lot of us are not made privy to, nor can we articulate it as well as she has. I'd like to just say basically there seems to be a problem here in reference to this proposed bill. First of all, I'm deeply concerned with the fact that there are no tangible solutions to the educational deficit issue, although there are several grandiose ideas about reinvesting in prisons. Ask yourself this question: If you, those of you that work on City Council, are working in reference to your constituents' needs, then how can you consciously and morally decide to allocate funds towards prison construction instead of constructing a secure future for your constituents' Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 children and your children that are served by the tax dollars of the constituency? Thank you.
Good morning. Thank you. I just want to remind City Council that we are at a critical juncture. We appreciate all of the support that you've given to the District and especially Dr. Hite in realizing his vision for Philadelphia. As you know, we've had several superintendents over the past ten years. We are -- we believe we are in a direct line to achieving Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 greater heights and more success. In front of you that you received are the toolboxes with suggestions from the citizens of your city to how to increase the funding that Dr. Hite has asked for. He's asked for $105 million, recurring, sustainable funding to ensure that our students are successful and that the future of the City is vibrant and successful as well. We ask that the Education Committee of City Council scours the nation and finds all the different ways that cities are providing revenues to ensure that the School District and their cities are successful. We're asking the City Council to act big. We're asking City Council to be agile in their pursuit of this funding. In this toolbox there are many suggestions. All of them will amount to funding that can occur on a yearly basis. And we want you to know wholeheartedly that the City is behind Dr. Hite's Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 request. The City acknowledges and supports your previous support of our School District, and we are asking that you set up a system where we do not come hat in hand year-to-year basis. And, lastly, we want our City Council members to know that we hope that you will be stubborn and open-minded stubborn in your commitment to the future of this city, stubborn in your commitment to make sure that these students are successful, that next year's graduates as well as next year's pre-K and kindergarten students are set up for success, and open-minded at the same time and looking for every venue, every opportunity, every single way that cities have been innovative, that our city can be innovative, and that we put the success of our students and the future of this City in the forefront of all of our decisions. We trust that you will do that. Thank you. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015
Milton Martelack, commenting on 150406. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, City Council. Good morning, everyone. I'd like just to make a comment. I think it's about time instead of building prisons, it's time to start building opportunity for younger children and everybody in any community. I think coming home tonight and looking at a prison is not a positive mindset, but when you come home and you have opportunity for the kids and adults in the same would be more of a way to go than spending millions of dollars on prisons. How about building a sports complex or a ball field or something like that. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 So, City Council, if you can bear that in mind. I don't think you'd like to come home to have a prison sitting outside your home or your community. Let's start building opportunity, not prisons. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Mayegan Brown from Mastery Charter-Shoemaker Campus. I am honored to be standing here before you today to advocate for funding for the School District of Philadelphia. I plead Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 to City Council to take a chance on the youth of Philadelphia and fund our futures. The money, though it may seem like a lot, is minimal when you think of the lives you're impacting. Children who will never get to live in suburban communities should not be limited due to their circumstances. You, you, and you are standing in between us and our future. Please invest in us, because we are worth it. One day I may be sitting in your seats and I would hope to assist those that would one day lead me. And on the topic of the prison pipeline, I would hope that we are more valuable than future inmates. As Malcolm X said, education is our passport to the future. Thank you. (Applause.)
There are no Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 5/21/15 - STATED - 2ND READING other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. We will now move to our Calendar. And before we do that, I would like to recognize Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
I thank you, Mr. President. I would like to salute the principals that are joining us today. We know where you have strong schools, you also have exceedingly strong principals, and we want to salute Toni Damon of Dobbins, principal of Dobbins in your district; Sharif El-Mekki. (Applause.)
Please remain standing. Sharif El-Mekki of Mastery-Shoemaker; Kim Newman of Chester Arthur. (Applause.)
And Taylor Frome of YESPhilly, principal. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 5/21/15 - STATED - 2ND READING (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 150476.
A resolution also naming Civic Center Boulevard to "Raymond G. Perelman Way."
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 5/21/15 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it, and Resolution 150476 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150477.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Third, Sixth, Forty-Fourth, Fifty-First and Sixtieth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 5/21/15 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 150477 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 150479.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the First and Thirty-First Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass for a motion on the resolution, for Councilman Squilla's resolution.
I make a motion for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 5/21/15 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and 150479 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 150354.
An ordinance amending Chapter 12-1000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parking Meter Regulations and Penalties," to specify the fee for parking meter payments made through mobile payment systems.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 5/21/15 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. Stated Meeting May 21, 2015 5/21/15 - STATED - 2ND READING